Pageant  of  Palos 


PRESENTED    BY 


The  People  of   Palos  Township 

Saturday  Afternoon,  September  16, 1916 

AT 

Palos  Park,  Illinois 

UNDER  THE  AUSPICES  OF 

The  Palos  Improvement  Club 


Book  of  the  Pageant  by 

HATTIE  SINNARD  PASHLEV  AND  ELEANOR  REESE  DUNN 


PAGEANT    OF    PALOS 


THE  STAGE 


P  A  G  E  A  X  T     OF     P  A  L  O  S 


FOREWORD 

Palos  Township  was  organized  in  1850,  and  was  part  of 
the  "York  Precinct"  which  embraced  four  other  townships. 
It  was  at  first  called  Trenton,  but  the  name  was  changed  to 
Palos  before  the  first  regular  township  election. 

The  first  permanent  settlers,  however,  of  what  is  now 
Palos  Township,  came  about  1832,  and  their  descendants 
form  a  large  part  of  the  present  citizenship  of  the  township; 
but  investigations  show  that  Palos  has  a  much  earlier  his- 
tory. The  four  old  forts  and  breastworks,  the  remains  of 
which  still  mark  their  sites,  although  great  trees  have  grown 
up  within  their  confines,  together  with  the  ancient  relics 
found  around  and  about  them,  tell  a  story  older  than  the 
memory  of  the  first  permanent  settlers.  The  Pageant  will 
endeavor  to  tell  this  story,  interweaving  old  neighborhood 
traditions,  and  portraying  events  as  truly  and  accurately  as 
the  limitations  of  the  play  will  allow. 

The  principal  characters  in  the  play  (except  in  the  first 
episode)  will  be  taken  by  descendants  of  the  first  perma- 
nent settlers  and  those  born  in  Palos  Township  whose  co- 
operation and  help  have  made  this  Pageant  possible. 

Grateful  acknowledgment  is  herewith  made  to  Miss  Caroline 
M.  Mcllvaine  and  her  assistants  at  the  Chicago  Historical  Society 
the  Chicago  Public  Library,  the  Drama  League  of  America,  the 
Chicago  Press,  Mr.  Jens  Jensen,  Mr.  P.  Douglas  Bird,  Mr. 
Charles  W.  Pierce,  Mr.  C.  E.  Stouder,  Mr.  Johnson  Wilson, 
Mrs.  Mercy  Harrington  Hume,  Mr.  M.  J.  Chandler,  Mr. 
Thomas  Wood  Stevens,  Mr.  Arthur  L.  Bradley.  Mr.  Charles 
R.  Chilvers,  and  The  Chicago  Sharpshooters'  Association 
for  their  kindness  and  invaluable  help. 


PAGEANT     OF     P  A L  O  S 


IX  VOCATION" 

Draw  back,  O  Mem'ry,  the  curtain  of  Time; 

Lift  up  the  soft  mists  till  we  see 
The  far-off  hills   and  the  valleys  between, 

\Yith  streams  winding  on  to  the  sea. 

Let  music's  silver  strings — silenced  awhile — 

Bring  back  the  lost  charm  of  a   day, 
When  lovelight  lingered  in  Youth's  trusting  eyes, 

And  sweet,  mystic  dreams  held  their  sway. 
Draw  thunder's   roar  from  the  battles  wild  storm! 

With  reverent  touch  play  the  strings, 
T;ll  out  afar  from  the  distant  sky,  comes 

The  dove  with  its  white,  peaceful  wings. 
Weave  laurel  chaplets  of  green  for  their  crowns. 

Whose  courage-blazed  trail  points  the  way, 
Through  forest  tangle  and  night-shade's  grim  dread, 

To  joys  of  a  full,  perfect  day. 

Fold  back,  then,   Mem'ry,   the  magical  veil. 

Revealing  the  lost  as  they   come 
With  arms  of  love  bearing  sacrifice,  brought 

To  burn  on  the  altars  of  Home. 

Dancers 

Miss  Dorothy  Ostrander, 

Mrs.  Edward  M.  Tourtelot,  Mrs.  Bertram  W.  Rosenstone, 
Mrs.  Thomas  Quin,  Mrs.  Herman  Hanink,  Mrs.  George  B. 
Ward,  Ellen  Gleason.  Mrs.  Herbert  S.  Ripley,  Miss  Ella  Vir- 
ginia Tourtelot,  Miss  Elizabeth  Reese,  Miss  Vera  Lund, 
Miss  Elsa  Lund,  Miss  Charlotte  Munch,  Miss  Elizabeth 
Munch,  Miss  Elsie  Preller,  Miss  Helen  Schussler,  Miss 
Mamie  Lucas,  Miss  Cecelia  Lucas,  Miss  Annie  Busch,  Miss 
Gladys  Munch,  Miss  Helen  Munch,  Miss  Hertha  Claussen, 
Margaret  Markiewicz,  Katharine  Grotz,  Miss  Fern  Bum- 
stead,  Miss  Btenda  Thorsell,  Miss  Marie  McMahon,  Miss 
Catherine  McMahon,  Miss  Pansy  Powers,  and  Miss  Harriet 
Pashley. 

INTERLUDE — "From  an  Indian  Lodge" MacDozvell 


PAGEANT     OF    P  A  L  O  S 


EPISODE  I.     THE  COMING  OF  THE   FRENCH  (1673) 

Action.  The  Indians  are  preparing  for  their  annual 
festival  of  thanksgiving,  which  they  celebrate  in  the  Green 
Corn  Dance.  They  are  interrupted  by  an  Indian  runner 
who  announces  the  coming  of  the  Frenchmen.  As  the 
canoes  approach,  the  chiefs  advance  to  meet  them,  bearing 
their  calumets  aloft.  The  French  land  and  are  escorted  to 
camp  by  the  Indians.  Here  all  smoke  the  pipe  of  peace. 
The  missionary,  taking  advantage  of  the  peaceful  mood  of 
the  Indians,  exhorts  them  and  plants  the  Cross.  The  fur 
traders  improve  the  opportunity  to  "dicker"  with  the  squaws. 
When  the  French  leave,  the  Indians  break  camp  and  accom- 
pany them  on  their  journey. 

CAST 

MISSIONARY    Mr.    Thomas   Quin 

EXPLORER  Mr.  Edzcard  M.  Tourtelot 

FUR  TRADERS Mr.  George  Spence,  Mr.  R.  J.  Haight 

.INDIAN  GUIDE  Mr.  Herbert  S.   Ripley 

CHIEFS— Mr.  5".  F.  Klohs,  Mr.  Jacob  Rodats,  Mr.  Adolph  C.  W. 
Grasshoff. 

MEDICINE  MAN Mr.  William  Hambly 

PIPE  BEARER  Mr.   Herman   Hanink 

INDIAN    RUNNER Mr.    William    Murphy 

INDIANS — Mr.  L.  G.  Spencer,  Mr.  A.  G.  Lund,  Mr.  William 
Murphy,  Mr.  Ediwrd  Lcdgard,  Mr.  Richard  S.  Mc- 
Claiighry,  Mr.  Frederick  Monroe,  Mr.  Harold  Lund,  Mr. 
Alcssandro  Rossi,  Mr.  George  Gray  Victor  Cassell,  Daniel 
Neff. 

INDIAN  CHILDREN — Bernard  Schofteld,  Jeremiah  Quin,  Dougal 
McKensie,  Franklin  Hyink,  John  Monroe,  Jack  Rosen- 
stone,  Henry  Ripley,  Ned  Tourtelot,  Arnold  McKensie, 
Colon  McKensie,  Bertram  W.  Rosenstone,  Jr. 

INDIAN  WOMEN — Mrs.  Ezra  McClaughry,  Mrs.  S.  F.  Klohs,  Mrs. 
Adolph  C.  W.  Grasshoff,  Mrs.  Edward  Ledyard,  Miss 
Grace  Fenno,  Miss  Charlotte  Arnold,  Miss  Hazel  Nelson, 
Miss  Irma  Nelson. 

SQUAW  WITH  PAPOOSE Mrs.  Benjamin  F.  Hyink 

Historical  Basis.  Historians  have  held  various  opinions 
regarding  the  routes  taken  by  the  early  French  explorers, 
missionaries  and  traders  from  the  Great  Lakes  to  the  Mis- 
sissippi and  its  tributaries.  Crude  and  inaccurate  maps  have 
been  the  guide,  and  much  has  been  taken  for  granted  by 


PAGEANT    OF     P  A  L  O  S 


writers  who  have  never  been  over  the  land  and  waterways. 
But  recent  interest  awakened  in  individual  local  history  is 
bringing  close  and  careful  investigations  for  the  purpose  of 
unearthing  convincing  proofs  of  historical  "probabilities." 

Palos  Township  can  lay  claim  to  the  distinction  of  having 
afforded  a  passage  for  Joliet  and  Father  Marquette  on  their 
return  from  exploring  the  Mississippi  in  1673.  The  Sagau- 
naskee  Swamp,  threaded  by  the  stream  now  known  as  the 
''Canal  Feeder,"  made  a  waterway  to  Stony  Brook  at  Blue 
Island,  which,  by  short  portage,  connected  with  the  Calumet 
River  and  thence  to  Lake  Michigan.  (See  Andreas'  History 
of  Cook  County,  pages  37  and  46  to  60;  Blanchard's  History 
of  Illinois,  page  97;  also  Moses'  Illinois  Historical  and 
Statistical,  pages  77  to  79.)  The  ruins  of  old  fortifications 
on  the  hills  above  the  "Sag"  valley  and  to  the  north,  and  the 
antique  French  relics*  found  in  their  locality,  together  with 
the  great  number  of  Indian  relics  and  other  evidences  of 
Indian  life,  the  chipping  stations,  burial  grounds,*  and  the 
network  of  Indian  trails,  show  that  great  bodies  of  Indians 
had  their  villages  in  the  environs  of  the  Palos  hills,  hunted 
in  the  woods,  and  carried  on  warfare  and  trade  with  the 
French  long  ago,  and  leads  to  the  belief  that  this  route  was 
one  used  by  the  French  as  early  as  1673,  and  that  posts  were 
established  here  at  that  time  for  protection  of  life  and  trade. 

INTERLUDE — From    ''Indian    Suite".... 


*Two  antique  French  axes  were  found  on  the  farm  of 
Theodore  Lucas,  near  one  of  the  old  forts.  A  French  copper 
powderhorn  of  antique  design  was  found  on  the  Thomas  Kelly 
farm  north  of  the  "Feeder,"  in  1856,  beside  the  skeleton  of  a 
man  whose  gun  barrel  was  rusted  through,  the  wood  entirely 
gone.  Mr.  Kelly  has  two  steel  shoe  soles  such  as  were  used 
by  the  French  soldiers.  Many  years  ago  old  French  money  was 
found  in  the  hollow  of  a  tree  trunk  in  the  Lintz  woods,  south 
of  the  Feeder. 


tA  few  years  ago,  in  a  gravel  pit  on  the  Gleason  farm,  south 
of  the  Feeder,  a  skeleton  was  uncovered  which,  in  the  opinion 
of  the  anthropologists  of  the  Field  Columbian  Museum,  was 
that  of  a  pre-historic  Indian  chief  from  the  Lake  Superior 
region.  He  had  been  buried  in  a  sitting  position,  his  dog:  and 
weapons  with  him.  Around  the  neck  were  hammered  copper 
beads.  A  blanket,  still  retaining  bright  colors,  disintegrated 
when  exposed  to  the  air. 


PAGEANT    OF    P  A  L  O  S 


THE    SETTLERS    ARRIVE 

EPISODE  II.  THE  EARLY  SETTLERS  (About  1833) 
Action.  The  settlers  arrive  from  the  East  in  prairie 
schooners.  They  are  pleased  with  the  location  and  the  soil 
and  plan  to  take  up  land  in  this  vicinity.  While  preparing 
the  evening  meal  and  congratulating  themselves  on  having 
made  the  long  journey  in  safety,  they  are  startled  by  the 
sudden  appearance  of  an  Indian.  He  makes  signs  of  friend- 
ship, however,  and  in  the  same  manner  makes  known  to 
them  that  he  is  come  to  warn  them  of  the  approach  of  hos- 
tile savages.  The  settlers  have  barely  time  to  gather  up 
their  belongings  when  the  warwhoop  resounds  in  the  dis- 
tance. With  all  possible  haste  they  scramble  into  the  schoon- 
ers, lash  their  horses  and  flee  in  the  direction  of  the  fort. 
Two  of  their  number  are  captured,  but  later  make  their 
escape. 

CAST 

SETTLERS — Mr.  Norman  Poiccll.  Mr.  Xathaniel  BoyceJ  Mr. 
U'inslou1  Mahaffay,  Mr.  Doit'  Pettijohn,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
LcRoy  McClaughry.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  McCord,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Frank  C.  Mahaffay.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ezra  Mc- 
Claughry. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sydney  Traub,  Richard  and 
James  McClaughry.  Mr.  John  Bush,  Mrs.  William 


8  PAGEANT    OF     PA LOS 

Macauly.  Ira  McCord,  King  McCord,  eight  Mahaffay 
children,  Margaret  Macauly,  Henry  Pcttijohn,  Lucy  Petti- 
john,  Marjorie  Traub,  Marion  Traub,  Mrs.  A.  Willard. 

FRIENDLY  INDIAN , Mr.  William  Hyink 

HOSTILE  INDIANS — Mr.  Herbert  S.  Ripley,  Mr.  L.  G.  Spencer.  Mr. 
Herman  Hanink,  Mr.  George  W.  Gray,  Mr.  Alessandro 
Rossi,  Frederick  Monroe. 

Historical  Basis.  The  first  permanent  white  settlers  of 
what  is  now  Palos  Township  came  in  1833  and  "squatted" 
on  government  land  which  they  afterwards  purchased.  Many 
Indians  sill  remained  in  the  locality  and  were  close  neigh- 
bors of  these  pioneers.  During  the  horrors  attending  Black 
Hawk's  War,  the  year  before,  two  families,  living  in  Will 
County,  toward  Hickory  Creek,  and  who  short!}'  afterwards 
moved  into  Palos,  heeding  the  warning  of  Waupanoosa,  a 
friendly  Indian,  took  refuge  in  Fort  Dearborn.  On  their 
way  to  the  fort  they  came  through  Palos,  camping  at 
"Bush's  Slough."  in  their  flight,  two  of  the  men  were  cap- 
tured, but  made  their  escape.  They  had  been  fastened 
down,  hands  and  feet,  by  buckskin  thongs  tied  to  stakes 
driven  in  the  ground,  and  left  unguarded  while  their  captors 
slept.  During  the  night  it  rained  and  the  thong  on  the  right 
hand  of  the  younger  man  stretched  sufficiently  to  allow  his 
hand  to  slip  out.  He  quickly  untied  the  other,  and  freed 
his  father,  who  had  been  wounded  in  the  breast  by  buck- 
shot; then,  taking  a  loaded  gun  from  the  sleeping  savages, 
he  assisted  the  older  man  into  the  woods.  After  nine  days 
and  nights  of  wandering  and  hiding,  during  which  time  they 
subsisted  only  on  berries,  roots  and  water  from  the  springs, 
they  reached  Fort  Dearborn.  Another  family,  living  at 
"Yankee  Settlement,"  also  in  Will  County,  fled  to  Fort 
Dearborn,  coming  through  Palos  on  their  way.  One  of  these, 
a  little  girl  eight  years  old  at  the  time,  afterwards  married 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Palos.  She  is  still  living  in  the 
township,  and  is  now  nearly  ninety-two  years  of  age.* 

There  is  still  another  early  settler  living  who  has  been 
a  resident  of  Palos  since  1837,  and  who  will  take  part  in  this 
episode. 

The  cast  in  this  episode  otherwise,  excepting  the  Indians, 
is  made  up  of  the  descendants  of  the  first  settlers.  Some 
of  the  clothes  worn  belonged  to  the  great-grandparents  of 
those  playing  parts. 

INTERLUDE — "Daybreak"    (Morgenstimmung)   From  Peer  Gynt 
Suite Greig 

*Mary  Ritchey  Bush,  widow  of  Lewis  Bush  is  one  of  the 
few.  if  not  the  only  one,  now  living  of  those  who  took  refuge 
in  Fort  Dearborn  during  Black  Hawk's  War. 

iThe  first  white  child  born  in  Palos,  as  far  as  is  known. 


PAGEANT    OF     P  A  L  O  S 


THE  HOME  OF 


EPISODE   III.     PEACEFUL  TIMES 
Scene  1 

Action.  The  woodchoppers  are  returning  from  their 
day's  work  to  the  settlement.  A  new  house  has  just  been 
completed  and  preparations  for  a  housewarming  are  in  prog- 
ress. The  wife,  on  her  way  to  the  pond  for  water,  discovers 
baby  wolves.  She  hastens  to  show  them  to  her  husband. 
Together  they  rejoice  over  this  good  fortune. 

The  neighors  arrive  for  the  festivities.  When  the  host 
sees  their  number,  he  refuses  to  allow  so  many  people  to 
dance  in  his  new  house.  They  greet  his  remarks  with 
laughter  and  arrange  to  dance  on  the  green. 

CAST 

FIDDLERS Dr.  Albert  Robson,  Mr.  Barney   Yungles 

SETTLERS — Mrs.  Albert  Robson,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Daniel  McMahon, 
Mr.  and  Mrs  William  Tea-son,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry 
Munch,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Christopher  Munch,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Frank  Mahaffay,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frank  Yunkcr.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  P.  J.  O'Co'nnell.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ezra  McClaughry,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  John  McCord.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peter  Lucas.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Charles  Busch,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Adolph  Prellcr, 


10  PAGE  AX  T     OF     P  ALOS 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  IV.  Mahaffay,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alfred 
Butcher,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  Pantke,  Mrs.  Martha 
Decker  Howell,  Miss  Jane  Gray,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry 
Elliot,  Mr.  Lester  B.  Decker,  Mr.  Winslow  Mahaffay.  Mr. 
Maurice  Powers,  Mr.  Daniel  Sullivan.  Mr.  George  Mikel- 
son,  Mr.  Joseph  Blotch,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Macauly. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Leipstorpf,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Louis 
Biedenkopf,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  Grange,  Mrs.  Walter 
F'atrick,  Miss  Mabel  and  Miss  Esther  Elliot,  Miss  Elsie 
Mikelson. 

Historical  Basis.  The  demand  for  labor  in  the  construc- 
tion of  the  old  Illinois  &  Michigan  Canal  brought  new  set- 
tles to  Palos  from  the  Eastern  states,  from  Germany,  and 
also  from  Ireland  at  the  time  of  the  potato  famine.  The 
great  first  growth  woods  also  afforded  an  additional  indus- 
try. Woodchoppers'  cabins  dotted  the  hills  and  slopes  of 
"Smoky  Hollow,"  while  the  giant  trees  were  being  felled 
and  cut  into  spiles  and  cordwood  to  be  used  for  household 
fuel  for  Chicago  settlers,  and  for  power  for  the  first  railway 
locomotives  running  out  of  Chicago.  Farming  and  stock-raising, 
too,  increased  as  the  ground  became  cleared. 

The  implements  and  tools  for  carrying  on  these  industries 
were  scarce  and  expensive.  It  is  told  that  in  the  early  days, 
when  the  County  was  offering  a  bounty  for  wolf  pelts,  one 
of  the  pioneer  women  of  Palos,  finding  a  nest  of  baby 
wolves  in  the  woods,  gathered  them  in  her  apron  and  car- 
ried them  home.  After  properly  preparing  the  pelts,  she 
received  eighty  dollars  for  them,  with  which  she  purchased 
a  new  farm  wagon.  (This  woman  is  represented  in  the 
scene  by  her  granddaughter.) 

It  was  not  all  hardship  and  labor,  however,  for  the 
"housewarmings"  and  neighborhood  dances  were  happy  di- 
versions in  the  lives  of  the  Palos  pioneers.  The  story  goes 
that,  at  the  completion  of  one  of  the  new  houses,  when  the 
guests  had  gathered  for  the  housewarming,  the  master  of 
the  house  suddenly  decided  that  the  house  was  too  new  and 
fine  for  such  frivolity,  and  refused  to  let  them  dance. 
Finally  the  guests  were  obliged  to  do  their  dancing  else- 
where. 

It  was  the  custom  for  the  women  to  bring  their  work 
with  them  to  these  neighborhood  gatherings.  The  spinning- 
wheel  in  the  scene  is  from  the  home  of  one  of  the  first 
settlers. 

The  first  musician  is  one  of  the  original  "fiddlers"  for 
these  dances,  and  others  in  the  scene  are  descendants  of  the 
early  settlers,  and  those  born  in  Palos 

INTERLUDE — "Ave    Maria"    Gounod 


PAGEAXTOFPALOS  11 


Scene  2 

Action.    The  settlers,  dressed  in  their  Sunday  best,  attend 
church. 

CAST 

Mr.  A.  Robson,  Mr.  J.  W.  Mahaffay,  Mr.  R.  J.  Haight,  Mr.  S.  J. 
Cassell,  Mrs.  J.  W.  Mahaffay,  Mrs.  Frank  Mahaffay,  Miss 
Charlotte  Arnold,  Miss  Emma  Hyink,  Miss  Cora  Hyink. 

.Historical  Basis.  The  religious  element  was  strong  in 
the  Palos  pioneers.  Before  the  Sacred  Heart  parish  was 
formed,  the  Catholic  families  attended  service  at  the  old 
Sag  church.  The  Protestant  families  held  services  in.  the 
old  schoolhouse,  their  first  preachers  being  unordained, 
usually  one  of  the  neighborhood. 


"GUIDE    ME,   O   THOU    GREAT   JEHOVAH" 
(Tune,  "Zion") 

"Guide  me,  O  Thou  great  Jehovah, 
Pilgrim  through  this  barren  land; 
I  am  weak,  but  Thou  art  mighty; 
Hold  me  with  Thy  powerful  hand; 

Bread  of  heaven, 
Feed  me  till  I  want  no  more. 

When  I  tread  the  verge  of  Jordan,   . 
Bid  my  anxious  fears  subside; 
Bear  me  through  the  swelling  current, 
Land  me  safe  on  Canaan's  side. 

Songs  of  praises, 
I  will  ever  give  to  Thee." 

"OLD  HUNDRED" 

"Praise   God,  from  whom  all  blessings  flow; 
Praise  Him,  all  creatures  here  below; 
Praise  Him  above,  ye  heavenly  host; 
Praise  Father,    Son,  and   Holy   Ghost." 

INTERLUDE — Medley  of  old  school  songs. 


12  PAGEANT     OF     PALOS 


Scene  3 

Action.  The  children  loiter,  then  as  now,  on  their  way 
to  school. 

CAST 
School  Children. 

Historical  Basis.  The  first  school  in  Palos  Township 
was  held  in  1838  in  a  "lean-to"  against  the  house  of  one  of 
the  pioneers.  The  first  schoolhouse  in  the  township  was 
built  of  logs,  in  Section  28,  in  1840.  These  early  school- 
houses  were  so  small  that,  as  one  of  the  former  pupils  ex- 
pressed it,  "We  were  as  close  as  herrings  in  a  keg." 

INTERLUDE — Medley  of  War  Songs. 

EPISODE  IV.     THE    CALL  TO    ARMS 

Action.  The  note  of  the  bugle  announces  a  "War  Meet- 
ing." Old  and  young  respond — -fathers,  mothers  and  chil- 
dren. When  the  call  for  recruits  is  made  the  young  men 
eagerly  offer  themselves. 

CAST 

Mr.  Herbert  Snider,  Richard  S.  McClaughry,  Gordon  Powell, 
Ira  McCord,  John  Humphrey,  Maxwell  May,  Charles  Peter 
Busch,  Albert  John  Busch,  Walter  Munch,  Henry  Munch, 
Henry  Oberst,  Francis  Caraher,  Harold  Lund,  Fred  Claus- 
sen,  Christ  Grots,  Leslie  Powers,  Peter  Lucas,  Daniel 
Ncff,  Frederick  Monroe,  George  Uthe,  Allessandro  Rossi, 
Victor  Cassell,  Walter  R.  Schussler,  Lester  Mahaffay, 
Joseph  Tcason,  John  Busch,  Henry  Busch,  Clyde  Schultz, 
Mrs.  Herbert  B.  Snider,  Mrs.  Clyde  Schultz,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
J.  W.  Mahaffay,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Albert  Hecht,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Henry  Munch,  Mr.  Leroy  McClaughry,  Miss  Helen  Camp- 
bell, Mrs.  Ezra  McClaughry,  Mrs.  Albert  Loebe,  Mrs. 
Matthew  Gleason,  William  Edward  Mahaffay. 

Historical  Basis.  Pajos  contributed  her  generous  share 
toward  the  defence  of  our  country,  and  was  among  the  first 
to  send  recruits  to  the  Civil  War.  War  meetings  were  of 
frequent  occurrence  at  the  beginning  of  the  war  and  a  re- 
cruiting station  was  established  at  the  old  schoolhouse. 
Company  G  of  the  Thirty-ninth  Illinois,  called  "Preachers' 
Company,"  and  Company  F  of  the  One  Hundredth  Illinois, 
were  largely  made  up  of  men  from  Palos.  Among  the 
songs  sung  in  Palos  at  the  time,  the  popular  ones  were, 
"Take  Your  Gun  and  Go,  John,"  and  "Stone  River." 


P  A  G  E  A  X  T    O  F     P  A  L  O  S 


"TAKE  YOUR  GUX  AND  GO,  JOHN" 
By  H.  T.  MERRILL 

"Don't  stop  a  moment  to  think,  John, 

Our  country  calls,  then  go. 
Don't   fear  for   me   nor   the   children,   John, 

I'll  care  for  them,  you  know! 
Leave  the  corn  upon  the  stalk,  John; 

The  fruit  upon  the  tree, 
And  all   our   little   stores,   John, 

Yes,  leave  them  all  to  me. 

CHORUS 

"Then  take  your  gun  and  go,  John, 

Take  your  gun  and  go, 
For  Ruth  can  drive  the  oxen,  John, 

And   I    can   use   the  hoe. 

"I've  heard  my   grandsire  tell,  John, 

He    fought  at    Bunker   Hill, 
He   counted  all  his  life   and   wealth 

His  country's  off'ring  still. 
Would  I  shame  the  -brave  old  blood,  John, 

That   flowed    on   Monmouth    plain? 
No!  take  your  gun  and  go,  John, 

Tho'  I  ne'er  see  you  again. 

"The  army's  short  of  blankets,  John, 

Then  take  this  heavy  pair, 
I  spun  and  wove  them  when  a  girl, 

And  worked  them  with  great  care. 
A  rose  in  every  corner,  John; 

And  here's  my   name,  you  see! 
On    the    cold    ground    they'll    warmer    feel, 

Because   they're  made   by   me.'' 


14  PAGEANT     OF     PA  LOS 

STONE   RIVER 

BY  GEORGE  GRANGE 

(Composed   while   on    picket   duty  at   Stone    River.) 

'Tis   midnight,    and   the    twinkling    stars 

Shine   brightly  from  on  high, 
And  not  a   cloud  is  shadowing  now 

The  warlike   Southern   sky. 
I'm  stationed  in  a  cedar  grove, 

The  picket-post  to  stand, 
And  list'ning  to   the  stealthy  tread 

Of  traitors   close   at  hand. 

CHORUS 
How    many    thousands    gone    to    rest! 

We  know  that  they  are  free, 
Their  bodies  mouldering  in  the  dust 

On   the   plains  of  Tennessee. 

I   see  their  livening  camp   fires  now 

Upon  the  distant  hill, 
And  hear  the  screech-owl's  dismal  cry, 

And   feel  more  lonely   still. 
I  hear  the   groans   of  wounded  men 

That  still  lie  on  the  field, 
And  many  more  my  eyes  can  see, 

With   lips   forever    sealed. 

CIVIL     WAR    SOLDIERS  WHO     ENLISTED     FROM 

PALOS    AND   VICINITY 
Thirty-ninth,  Illinois,  Company  C 

James    M.     Harrington,    2nd  William  C.  W.  Williams. 

Lieutenant.  George  Brown. 

Steven  L.  Harrington,  Sergt.  Christopher  Crandall. 

John  J.  Hawkins,  Corp.  J.   Bouton. 

Albert  Bushnell.  Wm.  Bouton. 

Frederick  Brush.  Alonzo  Truer. 

Jesse  Chatfield.  William  Mahaffay. 

Lester  B.  Decker.  John  McClaughry. 

Louis  Fuder.  Andrew  McCord. 

Thomas   Humphrey,    Color  Matthew  McClaughry. 

Bearer.  John   Mason. 

James  Pettijohn  Isaac   Mason 

James  H.   Reeves  Timothy  Mason. 

Stephen  C.  Reed.  Mark  Pettijohn. 

Almon   L.    Schermerhorn.  Michael   Powers. 

Matthew   Wells  Patrick  Scanlon. 

William  Taylor. 


PA GRANT    OF    PA LOS 


15 


One   Hundredth,   Illinois,   Company  F 


Richard   S.    McClaughry, 

Capt. 

John  Powell.  2nd  Lieutenant 
Peter  Blasch. 
Freeman  Bliss. 
Timothy  Braudy. 
Mark   Burroughs. 
Nelson  Bush. 
\v;i  i^jn    p-  ••!  enridge. 
William  Briggs. 
Dennis  Curran. 

S. 


Sidney   Campbell. 
John    Campbell. 
Edward  Flannery. 
Louis  Decker. 
James    Gleason,    Sergt. 
Charges  Green. 
James  Heatherwick. 
Jefferson  Harrington. 
John  Mallon. 
James  Mahaffay. 
George  Grange. 
I.  Treat. 


Eightieth,   Illinois 
Thomas   McClaughry 

Eighty-eighth   Illinois 

Franklin    Bushnell 

INTERLUDE — Medley  of   Plantation   Songs. 


OLD  FORT  ON   SIGNAL  HILL 


16  PAGE  AX  T     OF     PALOS 


EPISODE  V.     THE   FUGITIVE 

Action.  A  negro,  skulking  behind  trees,  sees  a  farmer 
approach,  and  running  out,  begs  him  to  help  him  on  his 
way.  The  farmer,  wishing  to  keep  out  of  trouble,  at  first 
refuses.  He  is  moved,  however,  by  the  negro's  song  of 
entreaty,  and  suddenly  hearing  the  sound  of  a  horse's  hoofs, 
loses  all  hesitation,  and  hides  the  fugitive  under  the  hay. 
The  horseman  accosts  the  farmer,  but  receiving  no  informa- 
tion regarding  the  runaway,  proceeds  on  his  way. 

CAST 

FUGITIVE  Mr.  Samuel  J.  Cassell 

FARMER  Mr.  Matthew  Gleason 

HORSEMAN  Mr.  William  Murphy 

Historical  Basis.  Tradition  tells  us  that  runaway  slaves 
found  sympathizers  in  this  region  who  helped  them  on  their 
"way  to  Canada. 


"OLD   SHADY" 

"Oh!  yah,  yah!  darkies,  laugh  wid  me! 
For  de  white  folks  say   Ole   Shady  am  free. 
So  don't  you  see  dat  de  Jubilee 
Am  a-comin'? — Hail  mighty  day! 

CHORUS 

"Den  away,  away,  for  I   can't  stay  any   longer; 
Hooray!  Hooray!  for  I's  a-gwine  home! 
Den  away,  away,  for  I  can't  wait  any  longer; 
Hooray!  Hooray!  for  I's  a-gwine  home! 

"Good-bye,   hard  work,   wid  neber  any   pay; 
I's  a-gwine  up  Norf,  wha'r  de  good  folks  say 
Dat  white  wheat  bread  an'  a  dollar  a  day 
Am  a-coming',  comin'! — Hail  mighty  day! 

"Oh!  I's  got  a  wife,  an'  she'm  got  a  baby, 
'Way  up  Norf  in  Lower  Canady; 
Oh!  won't  dey  laugh  when  dey  see  Ole  Shady 
A-comin',  comin'! — Hail  mighty  day!" 

INTERLUDE — Largo    Handel 


PAGEANT     OF     PALOS  17 


EPISODE  VI.     THE  RETURN 

Action.  The  women  and  children  are  waiting  to  greet 
the  returning  soldiers.  They  are  reading  a  letter  containing 
bad  news.  One  of  the  soldiers  brings  a  message  to  the 
widow  of  his  dead  comrade. 

CAST 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Albert  Hecht,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Munch,  Mr. 
Leroy  McClaughry,  Mr.  Winslow  Mahaffay,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Matthew  Gleason,  Miss  Helen  Campbell,  Mrs.  Albert 
Loebe,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  W.  Mahaffay,  Miss  Ellen  Gleason, 
Miss  Catherine  Gleason,  Mr.  James  Steven,  and  some  of 
the  soldiers  in  Episode  IV. 

Historical  Basis.  A  number  of  the  sol'dier  boys  who 
marched  away  came  back,  some  wounded,  while  others  were 
left  sleeping  in  Southern  graves.  As  no  railroad  ran 
through  Palos  in  1865,  the  farmers  drove  to  Lockport  and 
Blue  Island  and  brought  home  the  returning  heroes  who 
told  and  retold  the  tragic  stories  of  Murfreesboro,  Drury's 
Bluff,  Bermuda  Hundred,  Chicamauga,  and  Lookout  Moun- 
tain. 

A  soldier  in  Company  G,  Thirty-ninth  Illinois  as  he 
lay  dying  on  the  battlefield  at  Murfreesboro,  commended 
his  wife  and  children  to  the  care  of  his  comrade,  who,  after 
the  war  married  the  widow,  and  for  more  than  forty  years 
faithfully  fulfilled  the  promise  made  to  his  friend. 

One  veteran  from  the  Thirty-ninth  Illinois,  Company  G, 
Lester  B.  Decker,  and  one  from  the  One  Hundredth  Illinois, 
Company  F,  James  Heatherwick,  still  live  in  Palos.  Other 
veterans  moving  in  since  the  war  who  are  still  living  are 
H.  F.  Keene,  Twenty-third  Pennsylvania,  Company  H,  and 
U.  S.  Sixth  Cavalry,  Company  H :  John  Irvine,  Twentv-fifth 
Missouri,  Company  G;  John  Schofield,  Corp.,  First  Dela- 
ware Cavalry,  Company  F;  and  John  Cox,  One  Hundred 
and  Thirty-fourth  Illinois,  Company  K. 

"Uncle  Silas"  Brown,  body-guard  to  General  James 
Henry  Lane  of  the  Confederate  Army,  is  a  resident  of 
Palos. 


18  PAGEAXT    OF    PALOS 


FIXALE.     THE  FUTURE 

The  Dance  of  The  Dawn 
(Sou) — MRS.  BENJAMIN  F.  HYIXK.) 

Dancers  —  Hertha  Claussen,  Fern  Eumstead,  Florence 
Briggs,  Frances  Briggs,  Katherine  Busch,  Antoinette 
Bruzek,  Marie  Bohn.  Edna  Cowan,  Anna  Cowan.  Margaret 
Grotz,  Marcella  Einarson,  Loretta  Lucas,  Evelyn  Mahaffay, 
Ethelyn  Mahaffay.  Julia  Martin,  Emily  Martin,  Mary  Mur- 
phy, Marjorie  Traub,  Marion  Traub,  Gladys  Thomas,  Margaret 
Markiewicz.  Clarise  Mahaffay. 

THE   DAWX 

The  dawn  of  a  new  day  is  breaking 

Through  dreams  of  the  night  that  is  past; 
First-born  of  the  stress  and  the  darkness, 

A  day  with  its  destiny  cast. 
For  out  of  the  pain  and  the  sorrow, 

And  out  of  brave  sacrifice  deep, 
The  morn   blends  with  infinite  promise 

O'er  graves  of  the  sainted  who  sleep. 

A  tear,  soft  and  tender,  for  mem'ry. 

A  smile  for  the  youth  grown  to  man, 
A  joy  born  of  Hope,  for  the  future, 

A  faith  in  the  Great  Father's  plan. 
Then  break  o'er  the  hilltops,  glad  morning, 

Through  gray,  and  the  rose-hue,  and  gold, 
Your  children  are  facing  heav'n's  glory, 

Full-charged  with  your  promises  old. 


PAGEANT    OF     PALOS 


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